Carlinville Construction Injury Lawyer

Carlinville Construction Injury Attorney

Construction worksites are dangerous places. Laws and regulations exist to limit these hazards as much as possible, determining the care and maintenance of machines, the storage of dangerous materials, and the personal safety gear used by employees and visitors to a site. Construction accidents can still occur despite these regulations. If you are injured on these worksites, a Carlinville construction injury lawyer can determine your ability to recover compensation.

Non-employees may be able to file a personal injury claim if someone’s negligence caused their injury. Employees can recover workers’ compensation regardless of fault in the accident. Employees in unique cases have additional or alternate routes to recover compensation. By working with a Carlinville workers’ compensation lawyer, employees can recover the most compensation possible, giving themselves time to recover with less stress about their finances.

Injuries on construction sites are often more harmful than other workplace injuries. Both employees and non-employees can be injured and should be aware of the ways they can recover compensation. These injuries can cause lasting harm and disability and can lead to death. Filing a claim to recover damages like lost income and medical bills can help injured individuals readjust to a new way of life more easily.

Common Injuries in Construction Site Accidents in Carlinville

There are many types of accidents that can impact both employees and non-employees. Employees are also at risk of long-term injuries and illnesses from toxic exposure or repetitive motion injuries. Some common injuries in personal injury and workers’ compensation claims on construction sites in Carlinville, IL include:

• Broken and fractured bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries, including full or partial paralysis
• Repetitive motion sprain and strains
• Neck and back injuries
• Burns and electrocution
• Lacerations
• Crushing injuries
• Amputations
• Hazardous material exposure illnesses
• Heat exhaustion and heat stroke
• Respiratory illnesses
• Mesothelioma
• Loss of sight and hearing
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Wrongful death

While some of these injuries can be avoided or mitigated with proper safety precautions, these guidelines do not always prevent injuries. Employees are still able to recover compensation even if safety regulations are followed. When safety regulations are ignored, this may be grounds for a civil personal injury claim for injured non-employees. Know more by consulting our Carlinville personal injury lawyers.

What Damages Are Available After a Construction Accident in Carlinville?

The damages you can recover in a construction accident depend on the type of claim you are filing. Both personal injury and workers’ compensation claims recover full or partial economic damages. Economic damages are losses from an injury with a clear financial value. This includes:

• Current medical bills.
• Anticipated future medical costs.
• Lost income and earning capacity.
• Property damages.

Workers’ compensation claims recover a portion of lost wages and may recover different types of disability benefits depending on your injury. Personal injury claims can recover these costs fully but require another party to be fully liable. Personal injury claims can also recover non-economic damages, which workers’ comp claims cannot. Non-economic damages are losses without a set value and include losses like:

• Physical pain and emotional trauma.
• Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Disfigurement.
• Disability.
• Loss of companionship.

An attorney is experienced in calculating these damages in both types of claims. Many injured parties underestimate the full value of their damages, and enter negotiations already low-balling what they are owed. An attorney prevents this and helps you advocate for a fair settlement.

Time Limits on Filing Construction Site Accident Claims in Carlinville

Civil claims have a statute of limitations, which is a legal time limit that you need to file your claim. If you don’t file by then, you are unable to recover the cost of your damages. The time limit for construction accidents is different depending on when and how your injury was sustained. An attorney can tell you if you are within the statute of limitations. The sooner you speak with an attorney after an accident, the better for your claim.

Workers’ compensation claims have different filing deadlines, and it’s important to act as soon as possible.

Carlinville Construction Injury Law FAQs

Q: How Long Do You Have to Report a Construction Injury in Carlinville, IL?

A: You have 45 days to report a construction injury to your employer if you are an injured employee. Failing to meet this deadline can delay the benefits an individual receives through workers’ compensation in Carlinville. If your injury is the result of long-term exposure or a development illness, you are expected to report this to your employer as soon as it is practical to do so.

If you are a bystander injured in a construction accident, you must be aware of the statute of limitations for filing your claim.

Q: Can You Ask for Compensation for a Construction Site Injury?

A: You can ask for compensation for a construction site injury in Illinois if you are an injured employee. Workplace injuries are generally covered under workers’ compensation insurance. If you are a non-employee, you may be eligible for compensation if another party was at fault for your injuries on a construction site.

This may include the employer of the construction site, the property owner, or the manufacturer of a defective product. Employees, in rare cases, can recover compensation from workers’ comp and a civil claim.

Q: What Is the Discovery Rule in Illinois for Personal Injury?

A: The discovery rule in Illinois for personal injury applies to specific accidents where the injured party did not know and could not have known they were injured on the date of the accident or incident.

It tolls, or pauses, the deadline to file until the injured party did or should have discovered their injury. This generally applies to claims like medical malpractice injuries and is rare in construction injury accidents. To determine if your case may qualify under the discovery rule, talk with a qualified attorney.

Q: How Much Is a Workers’ Comp Settlement?

A: How much a workers’ comp settlement is worth depends on your typical weekly income and the severity of your injuries. A workers’ compensation settlement will cover a portion of wages lost while you recover, so your typical earnings and how long you are unable to work impact the value.

The settlement will also recover medical costs, and more serious injuries usually have higher medical costs. Your settlement value also depends on the abilities of your attorney to value and advocate for a fair settlement.

Find a Skilled Carlinville Attorney After a Construction Site Injury

Joshua R. Evans, Attorney at Law, can support you after an injury from a construction accident. Contact our firm today and see how we can advocate for you and your financial interests.